Retirement Tips for a Socially Functioning Introvert...?

zagfles

I actually feel sorry for extroverts coming up to retirement - there's one I know who's in his 70's but hasn't retired yet, not because he can't afford to, not because he enjoys the work, but just because he doesn't think he'll be able to replace the constant interaction with people and the constant attention he's used to getting at work.

harlequinnyc

Fabulous, interesting thread! I am a highly sensitive introvert and am currently really struggling with my job, as it involves travelling and being in overstimulating environments for me. I am neither worried nor ashamed about my personality but accept it now as being the way I am and feel no guilt about spending my time the exact way *I* want to. I have very few close friends who understand, accept and support who I am. I am in the lucky position of being MF , so if and when I choose to leave my job, I can. This in itself is what keeps me going into work at the moment but I wouldn't worry about becoming a recluse, I believe when you are ready/happy to, you will seek company if you need it (and, of course, are mobile and able to). I think, in retirement, you may seek out company and activity more, as it's your choice and more relaxed than the forces relationships and interactions you have in the workplace. Live *your* life and don't waste a second of it wondering what other people think about it. They are always encased in their own thoughts and feelings. Look after you. :T

melanzana

I met with two (also retired) former colleagues today for lunch. That lasted from 1.30pm until 5. Then we scarpered when the after work crowd started to arrive full of the bullsham talk that we now roll our eyes at! But we all did it in our day.

The bliss of not having to do that corporate speak stuff anymore is just the best reward ever for my working life.

Introvert or Extrovert, the freedom to be who you really are is immense on retirement, once you shake of the coil of corporate shackles. Be yourself and make no excuses.

Well that's what it's all about right?

OldMusicGuy

melanzana wrote: »

Introvert or Extrovert, the freedom to be who you really are is immense on retirement

This is the key. The problem for many people is they don't really know who they are, because they spend too much time just doing what they think is expected of them or what other people expect of them. And to be fair, most people don't have the opportunity to give up a job that pays the bills to become a naked basket-weaver or whatever it is that they think they "really" are.

Retirement is very different to working. When you don't have the distraction of work and everyday life, you will start to find out who you are, and sometimes it might surprise you.

We are all complex beings. Introversion/extroversion is one aspect of our psychological makeup, but there are many others. I've found taking various online psychology tests (like DSM-5) interesting in explaining aspects of my character. It's helped me realise why I enjoy doing some things more than others and has helped me plan better for retirement.

My wife and I think of retirement as a completely new phase of our lives so we have both tried to agree on what is really important to us and make sure that it forms part of our retirement together.

JoeEngland

OldMusicGuy wrote: »

This is the key. The problem for many people is they don't really know who they are, because they spend too much time just doing what they think is expected of them or what other people expect of them. And to be fair, most people don't have the opportunity to give up a job that pays the bills to become a naked basket-weaver or whatever it is that they think they "really" are.

Retirement is very different to working. When you don't have the distraction of work and everyday life, you will start to find out who you are, and sometimes it might surprise you.

We are all complex beings. Introversion/extroversion is one aspect of our psychological makeup, but there are many others. I've found taking various online psychology tests (like DSM-5) interesting in explaining aspects of my character. It's helped me realise why I enjoy doing some things more than others and has helped me plan better for retirement.

My wife and I think of retirement as a completely new phase of our lives so we have both tried to agree on what is really important to us and make sure that it forms part of our retirement together.

In some ways retirement is when you can properly live since you're not restricted by having to spend the weekdays in work. In the last few years work has started to feel more and more like a straitjacket on my life. Thankfully I'll be having my straitjacket taken off at the end of this month.